Atlanta looks to shore up inconsistent bullpen

ATLANTA - With the bullpen plagued by inconsistency, the Atlanta Braves are likely to acquire at least one veteran reliever, possibly two, before the July 31 trading deadline.

The relief corps, which posted a 5.04 ERA in June, has a 2.74 ERA in 16 games and two blown saves in six opportunities this month.

Overall, the relievers are 15-9 with a 3.76 ERA, but manager Bobby Cox is having trouble finding a reliever who can set up closer John Smoltz.

Chris Reitsma did an outstanding job as the setup man during the first two months, but he has fallen on hard times, posting a 5.65 ERA in June and a 6.14 ERA this month.

Besides finding a consistent setup man, the team has to address its lack of a veteran left-hander. Sam McConnell, a 28-year-old rookie, is the bullpen's only left-hander, and while he's done a solid job - 1-0, 3.00 ERA in nine games - the Braves might not head down the stretch and into the postseason without a battle-hardened lefty.

Horacio Ramirez might solve the left-handed dilemma if he can return from shoulder problems.

But the team won't know before the deadline whether his shoulder is going to allow him to pitch again this season, making general manager John Schuerholz's job that much tougher.

Schuerholz, who has never been shy about pulling off a deadline deal for pitching or bench help, said he's been "active" in pursuing a trade.

METS PROMOTE WRIGHT: Third baseman David Wright arrived at Shea Stadium six hours before the New York Mets played Montreal on Wednesday night, about as excited as a 21-year-old ought to be after being called up to the major leagues.

"I didn't get much sleep," said Wright, who was recalled after Mike Piazza sprained his wrist Tuesday night.

An MRI showed no structural damage in Piazza's wrist, and the Mets chose not to put him on the disabled list.

Wright was batting .298 with eight home runs in 31 games at Norfolk after being promoted from Double-A Binghamton, where he hit .363 with 10 home runs.

RED SOX-CUBS TRADE: Boston obtained infielder Ricky Gutierrez from Chicago for a player to be named or cash.

Earlier in the day, Boston put infielder Pokey Reese on the disabled list with a strained ribcage. In addition, starting shortstop Nomar Garciaparra still is working himself back after missing much of the first half of the season.

Gutierrez, 34, was hitting.368 with 10 RBI in 20 games for Triple-A Iowa.

PADRES LIFT SUSPENSION: San Diego lifted the suspension of overall No. 1 draft pick Matt Bush, who was arrested in June and accused of assaulting a bouncer removing him from a bar.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers did not say why the team ended the suspension of the 18-year-old shortstop.

Bush agreed to a $3.15 million signing bonus June 7.

He was suspended a day after his confrontation at the bar. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, trespassing, disorderly conduct and underage drinking.